We’re mobilising funding, growing skills, and expanding the knowledge base
Rainbow Giving Australia is an ambitious national LGBTQIA+ community foundation that supports community-led solutions by mobilising funding, growing skills, and expanding the knowledge base about the funding needs across the LGBTQIA+ sector.
Rainbow Giving Australia operates through two connected charitable entities: Rainbow Giving Australia Ltd. (ABN 37 613 812 203) and the Rainbow Giving Australia Community Charity Trust (ABN 20 825 145 112).
Both are registered with the ACNC, with the Trust endorsed as a DGR-1 entity to support tax-deductible giving and long-term LGBTQIA+ philanthropy in Australia.
Rainbow Giving Australia was created in November 2024 from the merger of The Aurora Group and GiveOUT—powerhouses of the Australian LGBTQIA+ sector for nearly 25 years.
Why we exist
At least 11% of Australians identify as LGBTQIA+, but despite significant progress, LGBTQIA+ communities continue to experience disproportionate rates of mental ill health, isolation, homelessness, and economic marginalisation.
We know that LGBTQIA+ community organisations are best placed to tackle these ongoing challenges. They are at the frontline, working tirelessly to increase access to services, promote equal rights, and provide much-needed relief and resources*.
However the LGBTQIA+ community sector is chronically underfunded, only receiving 5c out of every $100 donated in Australia, and almost half of the LGBTQIA+ organisations in the sector operate on less than $10,000 a year (Rainbow Resources Report).
Rainbow Giving Australia exists to change this picture. As a community-led funder that is addressing this at a systems-wide level, our collaborators can have peace of mind knowing their generosity is with LGBTQIA+ sector experts.
“There is no substitute for lived experience.
“Queer people are always going to be best placed to serve the queer community.”
Rainbow Resources Report
Our purpose
Our Vision
An empowered, sustainable, and united rainbow community sector achieving better outcomes for LGBTQIA+ communities across Australia.
Our Mission
We support community-led solutions by mobilising funding, growing skills, and expanding the knowledge base about the funding needs across the LGBTQIA+ sector.
Theory of change
We believe that the LGBTQIA+ community sector is uniquely placed to improve outcomes for LGBTQIA+ people and communities. However, the sector faces key constraints of limited funding, constrained organisational capacity, and gaps in funder understanding.
By reducing these constraints, the sector will be better resourced, more sustainable and better supported. Their work, in turn, will better enable LGBTQIA+ people and communities in Australia to thrive.
Our unique role
Rainbow Giving Australia works at a system level to strengthen the health of the entire rainbow sector. We are LGBTQIA+-led and embedded within the communities we serve, which means we are uniquely placed to align funder priorities with community need, grow available resources, build long-term capability, and strengthen cohesion of the sector as a whole.
Theory of philanthropy
Rainbow Giving Australia’s theory of philanthropy sets out how we approach funding in practice, and the beliefs that guide the choices we make in 'how' we give. It is shaped by our experience working with LGBTQIA+ community organisations and funders across the country, and by a clear understanding of the pressures and constraints the sector faces.
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We centre community voice and lived experience in how funding is designed, decisions are made, and learning is gathered.
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We prioritise flexibility and long-term sustainability over narrow outputs or prescriptive controls.
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We invest in organisational capability and systems as essential foundations for long-term impact.
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We use our sector-wide insight to coordinate, align, and mobilise funding toward the areas of greatest need and opportunity.
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We use learning and evidence to inform decisions, adapt our approach, and build confidence among funders, without extracting unnecessary data from the sector.
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We design funding and learning processes that are proportionate, streamlined, and mindful of the time and capacity of community organisations.
Our values
Our values are the foundation of everything we do. They guide our decisions, shape our programs, and inspire us to make a positive impact in the communities we serve. We are committed to upholding them in every aspect of our work.
LGBTQIA+ community-centred: Our communities know what we need to thrive; that’s why they’re at the heart of everything we do.
Reliable: We build and keep a foundation of trust, based on honesty, openness and getting things done.
Courageous: In honour of those whose shoulders we stand on, we are brave in challenging the status quo.
Equitable: We fight for equality for all, prioritising the communities that need us most.
Collaborative: We’re stronger when we work together. We create shared solutions and inspire a movement around our vision.
Strategic goals
RGA’s strategy is built around around of strategic pillars and their goals. The pillars are the big areas of impact we focus on, while the goals outline the specific changes and outcomes we’re working towards over time. Together, they help guide RGA’s priorities, decision-making, and long-term vision for strengthening Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community sector.
1.
Funding and resourcing
We increase and diversify funding to the LGBTQIA+ community sector by raising, distributing, and facilitating funding.
· 1.1 · Increase funds raised and distributed by RGA
· 1.2 · Grow, diversify, and deepen RGA’s donor community
· 1.3 · Maximise the effectiveness of RGA funding distribution
·. 1.4 · Strengthen LGBTQIA+ organisations through RGA funding
2.
Knowledge and skilling
We build and mature the capability of the LGBTQIA+ community sector to secure funding and resourcing through training, tools, and resources.
2.1 · Increase capacity-building opportunities for the LGBTQIA+ community sector
2.2 · Grow engagement in capacity-building efforts
2.3 · Strengthen LGBTQIA+ organisations through capacity-building efforts
2.4 · Build intra-connectedness of the LGBTQIA+ sector
3.
Evidence-informed influence
We mobilise action around LGBTQIA+ philanthropy by translating evidence and understanding.
3.1 · Improve RGA’s understanding of its sectors and ecosystems
3.2 · Improve others’ understanding of RGA’s sectors and ecosystems
3.3 · Improve practices and conditions to benefit the LGBTQIA+ community sector
3.4 · Build interconnectedness between sectors and ecosystems
4.
Organisational enablers
We fortify and sustain our own capacity to do our work effectively.
4.1 · Deepen understanding and effectiveness of RGA’s work
4.2 · Strengthen relationships with key stakeholders
4.3 · Strengthen trust in RGA's brand and voice
4.4 · Fortify RGA’s resourcing and capacity
Our key partners
Find out more about how we are tracking our progress and impact.
